Adjustable lower shelf on an x-ray unit

ABSTRACT

An X-ray dental imaging system for medical imaging includes a column, a housing coupled to the column, and a lower shelf movably coupled to at least one of the column or the housing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments relate to X-ray imaging systems, and more particularly tomedical X-ray imaging systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

X-ray imaging in medical (for example dental) fields requires that apatient be positioned with respect to an X-ray imaging device so that animage of an anatomical feature or anatomy of interest may be obtained.Improper positioning of a patient may result in an image that fails toinclude the anatomy of interest. Patient movement may also cause thisproblem. Patient movement may also cause artifacts. In some instances,it is preferred that a patient stand, for example, when an image of thepatient's skull or teeth is desired. However, in some instances, somepatients may prefer to sit during an imaging procedure, and/or operatorsmay prefer that the patients sit during the imaging procedure. Forexample, the longer an imaging takes, the easier it is to keep a patientstill when he or she is sitting. Thus, operators may prefer thatpatients be seated during certain imaging procedures. In otherinstances, patients may be incapable of standing, for example, patientswho have neurological disorders or injuries. Embodiments provide, amongother things, an imaging system that accommodates both standing andsitting patients.

In one aspect, embodiments provide an X-ray dental imaging system formedical imaging. The X-ray imaging system includes a column, an uppershelf rotatably coupled to the column, a rotating part rotatably coupledto the upper shelf, and a chair spaced from the column.

In another aspect, embodiments provide an X-ray dental imaging systemfor medical imaging. The X-ray imaging system includes a column, ahousing coupled to the column, and a lower shelf movably coupled to atleast one of the column or the housing.

Other features and aspects of will become apparent by consideration ofthe following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an X-ray dental imaging system accordingto one embodiment, with a seated patient.

FIG. 2 is a secondary perspective view of the X-ray dental imagingsystem of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the X-ray dental imaging system of FIG.1 with a standing patient.

FIG. 4 is a secondary perspective view of the X-ray dental imagingsystem of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the X-ray dental imaging system of FIG.3, with an added cephalometric arm.

FIG. 6 is a front view of an X-ray dental imaging system according toanother embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the X-ray dental imaging system of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the X-ray dental imaging system of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a side view of an X-ray dental imaging system according to yetanother embodiment, the X-ray imaging system having a standing patient.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the X-ray dental imaging system of FIG.9.

FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of the X-ray dental imaging systemof FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the X-ray dental imaging system of FIG. 9,the X-ray dental imaging system having a seated patient.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the X-ray dental imaging system of FIG.12.

FIG. 14 is a partial rear perspective view of the X-ray dental imagingsystem of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the X-ray dental imaging system ofclaim 12, illustrating a fixed lower shelf and head support.

FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view of the X-ray dental imaging systemof claim 12, illustrating a lower shelf that rotates both horizontallyas well as vertically.

Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understoodthat they are not limited in their application to the details ofconstruction and the arrangement of components set forth in thefollowing description or illustrated in the following drawings. Otherembodiments are possible and embodiments are capable of being practicedor of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understoodthat the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An X-ray dental imaging system 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The imagingsystem 10 includes a column 14 coupled (for example, rigidly fixed) to aframe 18. The frame 18 may be positioned at a variety of locationswithin a room, for example on or fixed to a floor panel, integrated aspart of a floor panel, positioned on or fixed to a wall (for example,without contacting a floor panel), or integrated as part of a wall. Theframe 18 may take a variety of different forms and shapes. For example,the frame 18 may have a generally flat configuration to rest on a floorpanel, may have a generally elongate vertical configuration, may beround, square, or another shape, and/or be formed integrally with alower portion of the column 14. The frame 18 may support the overallX-ray imaging system 10. In the embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2, the column14 extends vertically upward from and transverse to the frame 18 in alengthwise direction, as denoted by arrow A1. The column 14 may insteadextend in different directions from the frame 18 than that illustrated.The column 14 may be extendable via a telescoping arrangement (forexample, may include two or more elements that telescope verticallyrelative to one another) to extend in the lengthwise direction A1, andto retract along a direction opposite to the direction A1 to vary anoverall height of the imaging system 10.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the X-ray imaging system 10 furtherincludes a housing 22 (for example, hollow box or enclosure) that iscoupled (for example, mounted) to the column 14. The column 14 mayextend through the housing 22. The housing 22 may slide vertically upand down relative to the column 14, or may be fixed (for example,mounted) to an upper end of the column 14 and move with the extendingand retracting column 14. The housing 22 may contain or house variouselectrical components, as described in greater detail below.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the X-ray imaging systemfurther includes an upper shelf 26 (for example, arm or top supportmember) that is coupled to the column 14 and/or to the housing 22generally at an upper end of the housing 22. The upper shelf 26 isoriented along a lengthwise direction, as indicated by arrow A2,transverse to the lengthwise direction A1 of the column 14, and has alength along the lengthwise direction A2 beyond the housing 22 in atleast one direction to create an overhang at a distal end 26A. Aproximal end 26B of the upper shelf 26 (opposite the distal end 26A) isrotatably coupled to the column 14 about a first axis A3 such that theupper shelf 26 is rotatable around the column 14 about the first axis A3in a first rotational direction R1 (and/or a direction opposite to thefirst rotational direction R1). For example, the upper shelf 26 mayrotate up to 400 degrees (or other values and ranges) about the firstaxis A3 between a first a first position about an object to a secondposition about the object. A motor may be located in the upper shelf 26or in the column 14 to rotate the upper shelf 26. The upper shelf 26 mayalso be translated (for example via a motor) vertically relative to thecolumn 14 at the proximal end 26B (for example, sliding vertically alonga track, via a screw shaft, etc.).

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a rotating part 30 (forexample, arm or gantry arm) is coupled to the upper shelf 26. Asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rotating part 30 may be a C-shapedgantry arm sized to fit and rotate around an object, for example apatient's head. The rotating part 30 may instead be U-shaped, or haveother shapes and sizes than that illustrated. The rotating part 30 isrotatably mounted to the upper shelf 26 about a second axis A4, spacedapart from and parallel to the first axis A3. The rotating part 30rotates in a second rotational direction R2 (and/or a direction oppositeto the second rotational direction R2). For example, the rotating part30 may rotate up to 400 degrees (or other values and ranges) about thesecond axis A4. The rotating part 30 is capable of rotating entirelyabout an object, for example a patient's head. The rotating part 30and/or the upper shelf 26 includes one or more actuators, for example amotor-driven track or rail system 34 to provide linear movement (forexample along direction A2) of the rotating part 30 relative to theupper shelf 26. The rotating part 30 supports an X-ray source 38 (FIG.2) at one end of the C-shaped arm and a detector unit 42 (FIG. 1) at anopposite end. The X-ray source 38 generates an X-ray beam, and thedetector unit 42 detects the X-ray beam. The X-ray source 38 and thedetector unit 42 are positioned opposite one another such that a head ofa patient (for example, child or adult) can be positioned therebetweento produce (for example, provide data for), for example, a panoramic,computed tomography, or cephalometric image. As illustrated in FIG. 2, abeam limiting device 44 may be affixed to the X-ray source 38 to controla width and height of the X-ray beam emitted from the X-ray source 38.The beam limiting device 44 may be adjusted (for example, with a motor)in various directions, as illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 2.

The X-ray source 38 may be common for at least two imaging modes (forexample, panoramic and computed tomography). The detector unit 42 mayinclude one or more X-ray detectors that may be positioned and movablerelative to one another depending on the type of image being taken. Forexample, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0374320, the entire contentsof which are incorporated by reference herein, describes examples ofX-ray detectors 227 a, 227 b that are used for various types of imaging,as well as how the detectors are positioned based on the types of imagesbeing taken. Additionally, the detector unit 42 overall (or one or moreof the X-ray detectors therein) may be adjustable, for example byrotating the detector unit 42 relative to a remaining portion of therotating part 30 or by translating the detector unit 42 linearlyrelative to a remainder of the rotating part 30). A motor or motors maybe provided to permit the adjustable movement of the detector unit 42and/or its X-ray detector(s).

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a lower shelf 46 (for example, arm) iscoupled to the housing 22. The lower shelf 46 may be rotatably coupledto the housing 22. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the lowershelf 46 may rotate (for example, pivot) horizontally relative to thehousing 22 in a third rotational direction R3 (and/or a directionopposite to the third rotational direction R3), generally about avertical axis that is parallel to the direction A1.

The lower shelf 46 may be a frame member that includes an arm thatextends from a proximal end 46B at the column 14 to a distal end 46A.The lower shelf 46 may extend generally in a lengthwise direction, asindicated by arrow A5 in FIGS. 1 and 2, transverse to the lengthwisedirection A1 of the column 14. The lower shelf 46 may be rotatablerelative to the housing 22 and translate along the length of the column14 (for example, vertically up and down) with the housing 22. The lowershelf 46 may accommodate a patient at various heights and positions, forexample for a standing patient and a seated patient.

With reference to FIGS. 3-5, the lower shelf 46 may include a headsupport 50 (for example, support frame) that is coupled to the distalend 46A of the lower shelf 46. The head support 50 may be a non-planarframe structure that includes a chin block contoured to support a chinof a patient. The lower shelf 46 may be non-linear, having a jog betweenthe distal end 46A and the proximal end 46B, although the lower shelf 46may instead extend entirely linearly between the distal end 46A and theproximal end 46B, or may have shapes and sizes other than thatillustrated (for example a more arcuate shape such as that illustratedin FIG. 5). As illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, a handle 64 may be coupled tothe lower shelf 46. The handle 64 provides, for example, a handhold fora user (i.e., the operator, the patient) to manually rotate the lowershelf 46 relative to the housing 22. If the lower shelf 46 is locked ina specific position, the handle 64 provides a handhold for a patient tobalance relative to the lower shelf 46. In other embodiments the handle64 is not provided, or has a different shape or size than thatillustrated. In some embodiments the lower shelf 46 and head support 50may be arranged such that the patient faces the column 14. In someembodiments the lower shelf 46 may be movable (for example verticallyand/or horizontally) relative to the column 14 without being fixed tothe column 14 at any end or having a portion that extends into thecolumn 14.

While FIGS. 1-5 illustrate a lower shelf 46 that is rotatably coupled tothe housing 22, the lower shelf 46 alternatively may be rotatablycoupled directly to the column 14. For example, the column 14 may becylindrical (i.e., having a circular cross-section) and the lower shelf46 may include a collar or other structure that extends around thecolumn 14, allowing the lower shelf 46 to rotate (for example, swing)directly around the column 14.

Similar to the upper shelf 26, the lower shelf 46 may be automaticallyrotated by a motor (not shown) or may otherwise be manually rotated. Thehousing 22, column 14, and/or the lower shelf 46 may be provided withone or more bearing surfaces to enable the rotational movement of thelower shelf 46. Further, the lower shelf 46 may be lockable at variousrotational positions, either by a physical locking interface (forexample, a pin and aperture arrangement), a detent structure, byfriction within a drivetrain (for example, if the lower shelf 46 isrotatable via a motor), or via other mechanisms.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1-5, the X-ray imaging system 10includes a chair 66. The chair 66 may be spaced apart from the column 14by a distance (for example, a fixed distance, or a variable distance).The chair 66 may include, for example, a stem 66A coupled to (forexample, rigidly fixed to or formed integrally as part of) the frame 18,and a seat 66B coupled to the stem 66A to provide a seat surface for thepatient. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the seat 66B includes a lowerfirst surface 66C for supporting the upper legs of the patient and anupper second surface 66D for supporting the lower back of the patient.The stem 66A may be adjustable relative to the frame 18 to adjust aheight of (for example, raise and lower) the first surface 66C toaccommodate varying patient heights. Further, at least a portion of thechair 66 may be rotationally adjustable relative to the frame 18 (forexample rotatable about an axis extending parallel to the direction A1).The chair 66 may rotate for example 90°, 180°, or various other anglesand ranges to accommodate for different X-ray imaging. Additionally, thechair 66 may be lockable at various heights and rotational angles toprevent unwanted rotation when the X-ray source 38 is in use. Whileshown as an upright seated chair 66, at least a portion of the chair 66(for example the seat 66B) may otherwise be relaxed and tilted back (forexample via adjustment by the patient or operator) at an angle toprovide an appropriate angle for conducting an X-ray image. Otherembodiments include various other chairs 66, including chairs withcushioning, padding, back and leg supports, etc.

As shown in FIG. 2, the chair 66 may translate relative to the frame 18.For example, the chair 66 may move along a rail 70 positioned on or inthe frame 18. Translation along the rail 70 moves the seat 66B of thechair 66 nearer or farther from the column 14. Therefore, the rotatingpart 30 can be positioned about the head of the patient by eithertranslating the chair 66 relative to the frame 18, by translating therotating part 30 relative to the upper shelf 26, or by a combination ofthe two.

With reference to FIG. 1, the system 10 may include or house acontroller 54 (for example, a microprocessor, memory, and relatedcomponents). The controller 54 is programmed to control various aspectsof the X-ray imaging system 10. For example, the controller 54 can beprogrammed to receive operator input via an input device 278 (FIG. 9),produce an output via the X-ray source 38, cause motors or similardevices to rotate the upper and/or lower shelves 26, 46 about the firstrotational axis A3, and rotate the rotating part 30 about the secondrotational axis A4. The controller 54 can signal a motor 58 to rotatethe upper shelf 26 until the rotating part 30 is positioned around thehead of the patient. If the patient is seated, the controller 54 can useinputs (for example, from sensors) to determine a distance between thechair 66 and the column 14 to approximate or determine the desiredposition of the rotating part 30. The controller 54 can also actuate themotor 58 to translate the rotating part 30 along the upper shelf 26,translate the upper shelf 26 and/or housing 22 along the column 14and/or rotate the lower shelf 46 relative to the housing 22.

With reference to FIG. 5, the X-ray imaging system 10 may include acephalometric arm 74 having a proximal end 78 coupled to the housing 22or the column 14 (for example, rotatably coupled or fixed to the housing22 or the column 14). The cephalometric arm 74 includes a distal end 82having a second X-ray source 86 to be used in cephalometric imaging, anda second beam limiting device 90 coupled to the second X-ray source 86.As illustrated in FIG. 5, the rotating part 30 may include a collimator94 (for example, positioned to the side of the first X-ray source 38).The second X-ray source 86 may be rotated about a third axis A6 togenerate a cephalometric scan. The third axis A6 may be a vertical axisthat is parallel to the first and second axes A3 and A4. The second beamlimiting device 90 may additionally or alternatively be moved (forexample, translated linearly, similarly to the beam limiting device 44in FIG. 2) relative to the second X-ray source 86 to facilitate a scan.As illustrated in FIG. 5, during a cephalometric imaging, thecephalometric arm 74 has been rotated or otherwise moved into a positionsuch that the second X-ray source 86 may emit an X-ray beam toward thedetector unit 42 of the rotating part 30. U.S. Patent Publication No.2015/0374320, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein byreference, discloses further examples of cephalometric arms 160, 260,261 that may be coupled to the column 14 and used with the imagingsystem 10 (see for example paragraphs [0011], [0079], [0082] and FIGS.1a-b and 2a-d). In some embodiments the cephalometric imaging will havea third patient positioning location, requiring a second cephalometricarm such as arm 260 in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0374320.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the X-ray imaging system 10 can be usedwhen the patient is in a seated position. When in the seated positionupon the chair 66, an operator (for example, technician) or thecontroller 54 can adjust the height of the chair 66 and spacing of thechair 66 relative to the column 14. These adjustments may be made priorto the patient sitting on the chair 66. Once the position of the chair66 is set, the upper and lower shelves 26, 46 and the rotating part 30may be automatically rotated and translated to fit around the desiredobject (for example, around the patient's head) based on the spatialrelationship between the chair 66 and the column 14. Alternatively, anoperator may manually adjust the position of the upper and lower shelves26, 46 and the rotating part 30. This manual adjustment may includephysically rotating and translating the various components and/orproviding an input to an electromechanical system including thecontroller 54 and the motor(s) (including motor 58). Once the head ofthe patient is properly positioned within the rotating part 30, theoperator can actuate the X-ray source 38 to generate the X-ray. Thelower shelf 46 (and specifically the head support 50) may be rotatedinto contact with the head of the patient as a support structure tomaintain the positioning of the head as an X-ray image is taken orcaptured.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the X-ray imaging system 10 positioned (orotherwise adjusted for use) when a patient is in a standing position.When it is desirable to have a patient stand during an imaging procedure(at a location away from the chair 66), an operator or the controller 54adjusts the height of the imaging system 10 by adjusting (for example,telescopically) the overall height of the column 14 to adjust the heightof the rotating part 30. When the rotating part 30 is at the appropriateheight such that the object (for example, the patient's head) isproperly aligned with the rotating part 30 and the detector unit 42, thelower shelf 46 is positioned such that the patient's chin rests upon thehead support 50. Similar to when a patient is in a seated position,rotation and translation of the upper and lower shelves 26, 46 may beautomatically or manually actuated into the appropriate position. Oncethe head of the patient is properly positioned within the rotating part30, an operator can actuate the X-ray source 38 to generate the X-raytoward the detector unit 42. The rotating part 30 is thus adjustable toaccommodate a patient, regardless if the patient is standing or sitting.

The X-ray imaging system 10 can be programmed to function in one, some,or all of a panoramic imaging mode, a computed tomography imaging mode,and a cephalometric imaging mode. The panoramic imaging mode, also knownas panoramic radiography, is a dental imaging mode that captures theentire mouth in a single two-dimensional image, including the teeth,upper and lower jaws, surrounding structures and tissues. When in use inthe panoramic imaging mode, the rotating part 30 moves the X-ray source38 and detector unit 42 along a particular path that produces a flattwo-dimensional image of the curved jaw structure. The computedtomography imaging mode, also known as a CT scan, makes use of X-raymeasurements taken at different angles to produce cross-sectional, ortomographic, images of a specific area of the scanned object. When theX-ray imaging system 10 is in the computed tomography imaging mode, therotating part 30 may rotate around the object (i.e., patient's head, forexample 180 degrees), capturing multiple images from different angles.These images are reconstructed to create a three-dimensional image. Thecephalometric imaging mode produces an X-ray image, for example aprofile of the patient's head, showing not only the dental structure,but the surrounding tissue and nasal passageways. When in use in thecephalometric imaging mode, the rotating part 30 (or other cephalometricarm) is positioned relative to the object, and the X-ray is taken. Insome embodiments both the rotating part 30 and the patient arestationary (for example when a detector is large enough to take onecephalometric shot). The X-ray imaging system 20 is configured such thatthe same imaging mode may be used regardless of whether the patient isin a standing or seated positions. Thus, the panoramic imaging mode, thecomputed tomography imaging mode, and/or the cephalometric imaging mode,may be used regardless of whether the patient stands or sits.

FIGS. 6-8 illustrate an alternative embodiment in the form of an X-rayimaging system 110. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-7 shares certainsimilarities with embodiments illustrated with respect to FIGS. 1-5. Thesame or similar elements are labeled with like reference numerals,incremented by 100. The functionality of the X-ray source 138 anddetector 142 are similar to those described above with respect to FIGS.1-5. In the imaging system 110, a wall panel frame 118 is a support wallor wall panel. The wall panel frame 118 replaces or is in addition tothe frame 18 shown in FIGS. 1-5. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8,the wall panel frame 118 is a curved wall panel having an arcuatesurface 118A that extends at least partially around the column 114 andthe chair 166, with the column 114 extending from a first end of thewall panel frame 118 and the chair 166 extending from a second, oppositeend of the wall panel frame 118. As shown in FIG. 7, the column 114 isL-shaped, including a first portion 114A mounted to the wall panel frame118 at a height above a floor, and a second portion 114B extendingupward (i.e., away from the floor) from the first portion 114A at aninety degree angle. A housing 122, upper shelf 126, and lower shelf 146are provided in a similar manner to the mounting arrangement of thehousing 22 and shelves 26, 46 shown in FIGS. 1-5.

The chair 166 is likewise coupled (for example, mounted) to the wallpanel frame 118. The stem 166A of the chair 166 is L-shaped, including afirst portion 166E mounted to the wall panel frame 118 at a height abovethe floor, and a second portion 166F extending upward from the firstportion 166E at a ninety degree angle, and terminating at the seat 166B.

FIGS. 9-16 illustrate yet another embodiment of an X-ray imaging system,namely X-ray imaging system 210. Like elements are labeled with likereference numerals, incremented by 200 from the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1-5. As illustrated in FIGS. 9-14 and 16, the X-ray imaging system210 includes a lower shelf 246 that can be coupled to a housing 222 (forexample rotatably coupled or fixed to the housing 222). As illustratedin FIG. 9, a proximal end 246B of the lower shelf 246 extends from thehousing 222 to a distal end 246A of the lower shelf 246. At the distalend 246A, the shelf 246 extends downwardly into a handle 264 andupwardly into a head support 250 (for example, a non-planar head supportelement). The handle 264 includes at least one vertically extending rod264A and/or a horizontal rod 264B that function as individual handholdsfor the patient. The head support 250 is generally curved to correspondto a profile of the patient's head. As shown in FIGS. 9-11, the patientmay place his or her chin onto a chin block 250A of the head support250, for example, and his or her forehead against an upper portion 250B(for example, head rest) of the head support 250 to retain the headposition of the patient when in the standing position. Other embodimentsinclude various other configurations for the handle 264 and/or the headsupport 250. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 16, in some embodimentsa portion of the handle 264 may extend both above and below the distalend of the lower shelf 246.

With reference to FIGS. 12-14, the lower shelf 246 can be rotated aroundto the rear of a seated patient in the chair 266. The head support 250functions in this seated position as a rear head support, as the rear ofthe head of the patient (for example, the parietal bone or the occipitalbone) is rested against the upper portion 250B of the head support 250to retain the head position of the patient when in the seated position.The lower shelf 246 may be rotatable and/or translatable, eithermanually or automatically to accommodate a patient in a number ofdifferent positions (for example, standing and sitting at variouspositions about the column 214).

With reference to FIG. 12, the lower shelf 246 may include a secondshelf structure 252 (for example, arm). The second shelf structure 252may be an arm that extends, for example, parallel to the upper and lowershelves 226, 246 and includes an electronic input device 278 mountedthereto. The electronic input device 278 may be a tablet or computerwith an input device, for example a touch screen, a mouse, a keypad, orthe like. The electronic input device 278 may be fixed to the secondshelf structure 252 or may be removable for wireless communication withthe remainder of the imaging system 210. The input device 278communicates with a controller (for example a controller like controller54 FIG. 1), or may otherwise be used in place of a controller. The inputdevice 278 allows the operator to input desired changes to the imagingsystem 210, for example including extending or retracting the column214, rotating one of the upper and lower shelves 226, 246, rotating ortranslating the rotating part 230, translating the chair 266 relative tothe column 214, or adjusting the height of the chair 266. Further, theoperator can control actuations and settings (for example, intensity,focus, etc.) of the X-ray source 238, and, if the X-ray imaging system210 is provided with multiple X-ray imaging sources, can toggle betweenthe various sources. Further, the input device 278 may provide outputsfor the operator, for example status readings of the settings of theX-ray source 238, or results of the scan. In some embodiments the inputdevice 278 may allow choosing of imaging modes and imaging parameters.

With reference to FIG. 15, instead of including a rotatably lower shelf246, the lower shelf 246 may instead be rotationally fixed to thehousing 222. Additionally, while the illustrated lower shelf 246 isshown coupled to the housing 222, the lower shelf 246 may instead becoupled (for example rotatably coupled or fixed) directly to the column214.

With reference to FIG. 16, the lower shelf 246 may additionally oralternatively rotate (for example, pivot) vertically, such that thelower shelf 46 may be flipped up and tucked adjacent the housing 22 whennot in use (for example, via a hinge or joint on the lower shelf 246).Thus, at least a portion of the lower shelf 246 may rotate about notonly about the third rotational direction R3 (for example, horizontalrotation), but also about a fourth rotational direction R4 (for example,vertical rotation). Use of the third and/or fourth rotational directionsR3, R4 provides space savings within a room, allowing an operator orpatient more room (for example, for operator movement or for equipmentmovement) when the lower shelf 246 is not being used.

The aspects of the X-ray imaging systems 10, 110, and 210 describedherein may be used in conjunction with one another and in variouscombinations. For example, the X-ray imaging systems 10 and 210 mayinclude a frame 118 like that illustrated for the imaging system 110.The X-ray imaging systems 10 and 110 may include a lower shelf 246and/or head support 250 like that illustrated for the X-ray imagingsystem 210. The X-ray imaging systems 110 and 210 may include acephalometric arm 74 like that illustrated for the X-ray imaging system10. The imaging systems 10 and 110 may include fixed lower shelves 246as in FIG. 15, or lower shelves 246 that may be pivoted and rotated upagainst the column as in FIG. 16.

With reference to FIGS. 1-16, the X-ray imaging systems described hereinmay be used to conduct at least one of computed tomography, panoramic,and cephalometric imaging when a patient is sitting or standing. Forexample, and with reference to FIG. 1, to obtain a computed tomographyimage a patient may be sitting on the chair 66. To obtain the computedtomography image, the first X-ray source 38 may be activated, emittingan X-ray beam that is shaped by the beam limiting device 44 and sent tothe detector unit 42. The rotating part 30 may rotate around thepatient's head (for example 180 degrees), capturing multiple images fromdifferent angles. With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, to obtain a panoramicimage, the patient may be standing. The first X-ray source 38 may againbe activated, emitting an X-ray beam that is shaped by the beam limitingdevice 44 and sent to the detector unit 42. The rotating part 30 maymove the X-ray source 38 and the detector unit 42 along a particularpath that produces a flat two-dimensional image of the curved jawstructure. With reference to FIG. 5, to obtain the cephalometric image,the patient again may be standing (for example in a different location).The second X-ray source 86 may be activated, emitting an X-ray beam thatis shaped by the second beam limiting device 90 and sent to thecollimator 94 and on to the detector unit 42.

Various features, aspects, and embodiments are set forth in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An X-ray dental imaging system for medicalimaging, the X-ray imaging system comprising: a column; a housingcoupled to the column; and a lower shelf movably coupled to at least oneof the column or the housing.
 2. The X-ray dental imaging system ofclaim 1, wherein the lower shelf is rotatably coupled to the housing. 3.The X-ray dental imaging system of claim 1, wherein the lower shelf isfixed to the housing.
 4. The X-ray dental imaging system of claim 1,wherein the lower shelf is rotatable from a first position for a seatedpatient to a second position for a standing patient.
 5. The X-ray dentalimaging system of claim 4, wherein the X-ray imaging system isconfigured such that at least one same imaging mode may be used at eachof the first and second positions, and such that the same imaging modemay be taken of a patient regardless of whether the patient is sittingor standing.
 6. The X-ray dental imaging system of claim 5, wherein theat least one same imaging mode includes a panoramic imaging mode and acomputed tomography imaging mode.
 7. The X-ray dental imaging system ofclaim 4, wherein the lower shelf includes a support structure to supportat least a portion of an object in at least one of the first or secondpositions.
 8. The X-ray dental imaging system of claim 7, wherein thesupport structure includes a head rest to support a back of thepatient's head in the first position.
 9. The X-ray dental imaging systemof claim 7, wherein the support structure is configured to be used tosupport the object during at least two different imaging modes in thefirst position.
 10. The X-ray imaging system of claim 7, wherein thelower shelf includes an arm having a first end rotatably coupled to thehousing and a second, distal end disposed opposite the first end,wherein the support structure extends from the second end of the arm.11. The X-ray dental imaging system of claim 7, wherein the supportstructure includes a non-planar head support element that is generallycurved to correspond to a profile of the patient's head.
 12. The X-raydental imaging system of claim 4, wherein the X-ray imaging system isconfigured to conduct a computed tomography X-ray image in the firstposition and a panoramic X-ray image in the second position.
 13. TheX-ray dental imaging system of claim 1, wherein the lower shelf isadjustable linearly along the column.
 14. The X-ray dental imagingsystem of claim 1, wherein the lower shelf is configured to flip up andtuck adjacent the housing.
 15. The X-ray dental imaging system of claim1, further comprising a frame coupled to the column, wherein the columnis rigidly fixed to the frame and extends vertically, wherein the systemincludes an upper shelf rotatably coupled to the column about a firstrotational axis, wherein the upper shelf is adjustable linearly along alength of the column, wherein a rotating part is rotatably coupled tothe upper shelf about a second rotational axis spaced from the firstrotational axis, wherein the rotating part includes both an X-ray sourceand a detector unit, wherein the X-ray source and the detector unitprovide data for at least one of a panoramic, computed tomography, orcephalometric image, wherein the system includes a chair rigidly fixedto the frame and spaced from the column, and wherein the rotating partis adjustable from a first position about an object when the patient issitting on the chair in the seated position to a second position aboutthe object when the patient is standing on the frame at a locationspaced from the chair in the standing position.